Ben F. Klein, 94/Steamboat & river books.

Thanks, Dale, for conveying the news of Mr. Klein's passing. As you said, many of us "grew up" with all those fine river publications you listed, in addition to the many reprintings of THE OHIO RIVER HANDBOOK AND PICTURE ALBUM, each edition brimming with information and fabulous photos from the cameras of notable photographers like Paul Briol and others. A whistle salute to Ben Klein for his fine work, well done, in preserving and promoting river history through the publishing of so many excellent river books.

Hi, Keith & steamboating colleagues:
Thanks for the reminder that Klein also did 'The OHIO RIVER Handbook And Picture Album' series in dual editorship with his wife, Eleanor Klein. My battered copy here is dated 1954. Kleins were on the DELTA QUEEN for a trip years ago and he'd brought aboard several copies. He handed me one and possibly gave another to the Purser's office for placement in the library shelves at the top of the grand stairs where the Texas bar is now. Remember the big mural photo of Oak Alley at the top of the steps with lighting? Passengers read, played cards, games and generally spent quiet time there.

I forgot to ask Woody Rutter last night when we talked about Ben but 'wonder' who used to print Capt. Fred Way's famed 'INLAND RIVERS RECORD?' The sage 'Ohio Book Store' here on Main St. has many river books and YIKES! all of Fred Way's works are in the 'Rare Book' shelves under lock and key. Time has certainly gone by with the blink of an eye. May not be 'pure steamboat' postings but Ben and company certainly contributed to the preservation in word and pictures of a vanishing era.

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

Simmons' Lending Library

That "Library" was a great place to do all those inviting and relaxing things, but not in the summer. There was no air-conditioning, and as hard as I tried, I could not spend more than a few minutes in there where the temperature was just two degrees less than down in the fire box. Who remembers the spiffy operating model of an old-style Lock and Dam complete with wickets that raised and lowered, that gathered dust in the Library during the hot season?

After the air-cooled Texas Lounge replaced the Library, a bartender named Harvey Simmons, reputed to have been the Curator of the Rare Book Room at the NYC Public Library, the one with the stone lions guarding the entrance, started his own version of a lending library aboard the boat. His pal, Harlan Hubbard, was persuaded to carve the woodcuts and print the little tags that identified the books belonging to Harve's library. The prints were made on roll paper that Harlan found floating down the river. The paper was wound so tighly that only a few layers were wet and the rest of the roll was dry enough to accept the printer's ink. The remainder of that paper roll may still be around Payne Hollow amongst the Hubbard's stuff, for Harlan made mention of it somewhere in his writings.

Hi, Shipyard & gang:
Thanks for the insights following the recent posting at the time of Ben Klein's passing and the squib on the DELTA QUEEN'S library at the top of the grand stairs. Most interesting on your part.

Of late there's been some terrific writing on this web beginning with Judy Patsch and her musings; then you relating Thanksgiving at the 'Rabbit Hash Ship & Boiler Works.' Keith Norrington can whip off a grand posting in the blink of an eye. Alan Bates gets more humor--and information--in one paragraph than anybody. Everybody has something to share and offer. I see a whole new approach here to postings. It may not always be 'pure steamboats' [Whatever that is] but it begins with steamboats and reflects other important information and experiences. Heck, there's more good writers who read/post/'lurk' here than most web sites I ever read. Let's keep it up.

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

Thanks for the kind words, but my approach isn't new - no bsing from me, just Sgt. Friday's admonition, "Just the facts, m'am, just the facts!" I think one misconception we all have about history and personal remembrances is that the teller has to be old to know history. Well, many of us are getting up there, but we're certainly not ancient - steamboating provides memorable occasions and personages even today in modern times. Just like Doc was able to be in a 'bridge' area between the Edgingtons, etc. to the Sanders, Blum, Reynolds, Chengery, etc., so we are bridging a gap to the Jon Tschiggfries, Nick-Taylors, etc. I just wish more lurkers would join in with their viewpoints and remembrances - its not just a bunch of 20 or so posters who have information, we just opt to go public with it(and anyone who knows us knows most of us would never be mistaken for a shy violet)!

Amen, Judy. Almost anyone can add something. I for one am glad Annie Blum has begun posting with her wealth of knowledge. Others (hello, Capt. Bill Judd!) lurked for a L O N G time before posting and their insights have been most welcome.

I have posted before about E.J. Quinby and his kindness to this 13-year-old kid who was fascinated with the DQ and steamboats. Another kind soul was Harvey Simmons. When I took my first cruise on the DQ in 1972 and he heard of my interest in all things river, he gave me a New Yorkermagazine that contained an article about towboating. It was written by a fellow who rode two towboats down from Kansas City, and he very well chronicled what life was like for us "river rats". I still have the article today, and I will say it was instrumental in my career choice. As an aside, the boat that the reporter rode out of the Missouri River on (m/v LESTA K.) was captained by Capt. Gene Neal who later became Port Captain for Magnolia Marine and my good boss. I have remembered Harvey Simmons to this day, and thank him for his positive influence.

That roll of paper that Harlan Hubbard found was stuck in to mud at his landing. Most of the roll was underground. Harlan broke off the protruding part. The paper was slightly water-stained. The break was not square and the edge was ragged where the break occurred. The other edge was straight and neat. Harlan sent me several letters and always drew a tiny 'remarque' in a corner. When I sold my office records to the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County's Rare Book Room, Inland River Collection those letters went along. No doubt they are still there, for anything that enters that set of stacks is gone forever.
Someone mentioned Frederick Way's books. There are about ten feet of The Log of the Betsy Anns on a shelf in the Rare Book Room stacks. Because of library policy they cannot be sold or disposed of in any way. So there they are, absolutely useless! There must be at least sixty that have been donated and stored that way.

Brother Benedict

Our dear friend, Harvey, has not been heard of in several months, and as he has a serious health problem, I am concerned about him. An email sent to his address garnered an automatic message that he was unavailable, but advised sending a note to another Brother (Harve is now Brother Benedict), but no word has come my way, since. Can anyone shed some light on Benedict? Fast Eddie?

Crew Needed

Where is Chief K. P. Howe, Jr? I treasured his postings nearly as much as his friendship. Mickey and Linda Freye, Dorthea's son and both former DQ crew members, have moved back to Cincinnati. What an addition the Freyes would make to this board. Here's hoping we will be hearing from them one of these days.

I agree that having Annie Blum aboard is a super boost to DotOrg. She and I talked for a few minutes at S&D, and what a treat it was to have done so.